Spent my birthday finishing the new setup.

[kraftykrow]

Spent my 27th birthday finishing up painting to roof we added to the protected run. I had another thread on how I should go about expanding my space. Added a 10x10 area to the 32 sq ft run attached to the coop. Used a heavy duty dog kennel and covered the top with chicken wire to protect from hawks. I liked how it turned out but the new girls haven't even explored the attached run yet. I am bonding with them though. They eat out of my hands and one of them (the dominate one, Murder Parade) let's me hold her. The nice thing about the kennel is I can easily add panels in the future to extend it. For now, not a bad start I'd think for 3 hens. Will be adding activities, swings, feeders etc. to the extended run.

Also look at my beautiful gals!

 

[wildwestcoast]

Looks great! I am doing a similar setup with a secure coop with a little outside space inside a large run. I am putting in a skirt around the coop to deter diggers. Did you build the coop yourself?

 

[kraftykrow]

We didnt build the coop. We bought it from an Amish store in the country. I liked this one because it used 2x4s and heavy duty wiring and not just 2x2s chicken wire like the ones I saw in department stores. We did add the wooden roof over the attached run to give them an outdoor space shield from the elements. We also added the swing and stapled two feet of of green vinyl wire mesh around the bottom, like you are doing. Despite all the work, only one of them has come briefly out of the coop lol. They seem very cozy in there playing with their cabbage.

 

[wildwestcoast]

We didnt build the coop. We bought it from an Amish store in the country. I liked this one because it used 2x4s and heavy duty wiring and not just 2x2s chicken wire like the ones I saw in department stores. We did add the wooden roof over the attached run to give them an outdoor space shield from the elements. We also added the swing and stapled two feet of of green vinyl wire mesh around the bottom, like you are doing. Despite all the work, only one of them has come briefly out of the coop lol. They seem very cozy in there playing with their cabbage.

good choice re the stronger coop. I was checking out some at the building store and they were so flimsy! even the hardware cloth wasn't a strong gage..and the were asking $400 plus for those coops. plus they were super small. sounds like your hens like their setup! I am building my second coop at the moment and it's not as pretty but it will definitely be strong

 

[kraftykrow]

good choice re the stronger coop. I was checking out some at the building store and they were so flimsy! even the hardware cloth wasn't a strong gage..and the were asking $400 plus for those coops. plus they were super small. sounds like your hens like their setup! I am building my second coop at the moment and it's not as pretty but it will definitely be strong

Thanks! I wish my dad and i had more time, we could have built a super nice one. The only thing I dont like about the coop is it is barely tall enough for me to stand in. I'm 5' and my wife is 5'1" and were tiny ppl so we CAN get in it and sort of stand, but it is pretty cramped. I wish you luck on your new coop. You'll have to show pics when you get it done

 

[wildwestcoast]

Thanks! I wish my dad and i had more time, we could have built a super nice one. The only thing I dont like about the coop is it is barely tall enough for me to stand in. I'm 5' and my wife is 5'1" and were tiny ppl so we CAN get in it and sort of stand, but it is pretty cramped. I wish you luck on your new coop. You'll have to show pics when you get it done

Yes height can be an issue for sure..especially when it comes to cleaning. That was the mistake I made with our first one lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they like that cabbage, try moving it into the run just past the doorway, it might help encourage them to come out and explore.

 

[aart]

If they like that cabbage, try moving it into the run just past the doorway, it might help encourage them to come out and explore.

Better that's not in the coop anyway...put it out in the new run.

painting to roof we added to the protected run

Is that paint water/snow proof?

 

[TropicalBabies]

Great job! I think the panels are smart and wish I had done something like that for all the reasons you have mentioned. Beautiful coop. Smart, safe, your done, boom! Your girls are very pretty and they will love all of that space... but pretty sure chicken math is in your soul... it is only a matter of time. tic toc, tic toc Welcome to BYC!!!! Where chicken interventions are discouraged. We are glad you are here to join the fun!

 

[kraftykrow]

Great job! I think the panels are smart and wish I had done something like that for all the reasons you have mentioned. Beautiful coop. Smart, safe, your done, boom! Your girls are very pretty and they will love all of that space... but pretty sure chicken math is in your soul... it is only a matter of time. tic toc, tic toc Welcome to BYC!!!! Where chicken interventions are discouraged. We are glad you are here to join the fun!

I've heard of this chicken math. Considering we have a dog, a cat, 2 ferrets, a betta, and a tarantula and I keep saying "no more".... yeah might happen.